'with Hints 071 acclimatising Exotics. 307 



fusely. These came up all over the bed, so that I was ena- 

 bled to distribute some to different gardens in the neiffhbour- 

 hood ; but they were soon lost for want of the cool moss and 

 sandy peat m which they had been raised. 



I also derived another benefit from usinc moss in the man- 

 ner here described : it acted as a non-conductor of heat in 

 summer, and of course it would do so in winter. Many 

 tender plants that perished with me in the most favourable 

 situations, without moss, here withstood the severest winter ; 

 for, Avhere the moss was a good thickness (2 in.), the frost 

 hardly ever penetrated through it. Fuchsias, Lobelias, .Salvia 

 indica, the more tender alpine plants, the Cape bulbs, such as 

 /'xia. Gladiolus, &c. (planted in October), and such plants 

 as are classed as cold frame plants, stood the winter, and 

 flourished well in the spring. 



This bed, which was of a good size, formed, when in full 

 beauty, a most interesting object. The American shrubs, 

 Orchideae, tender exotics, alpine plants, and Cape bulbs, grew 

 in irregular masses, and, with the moss underneath (which, 

 when slightly watered, was of a most beautiful green), alto- 

 gether made a most singular and beautiful appearance, and 

 were much admired by every one that saw them. That moss 

 had been used in horticulture before thought of by me is very 

 likely, but I do not recollect ever reading of it, and am quite 

 sure I never saw it used for the above purpose. 



That it is useful as a protection from the heats of summer 

 and cold of winter cannot be doubted from the above details ; 

 and that it would be greatly useful in acclimatising tender 

 exotics is equally certain : for if the roots of any shrub or 

 plant, however tender, can be preserved from frost in the 

 open air, we have nearly accomplished our purpose; the 

 plant will get more hardy year after yccir, until it flower and 

 perfect seeds, which is one great step gained towards natural- 

 isation. 



Moss, where it can be procured in abundance, would also 

 be useful in the kitchen and fruit garden, in hot dry weather, 

 and on dry sandy soils, as a covering for vine borders, straw- 

 berry beds, newly planted crops, &c. ; for, where it can be laid 

 on in moderate thickness, it will not only keep oif the rays 

 of the sun, but, as moss will hold water ahnost as much as a 

 sponge, once a week watering will do more good than every 

 day where the sun has full power. 



I am. Sir, &c. 



Thomas AprLEBv. 

 Horsforth Hall, Oct. 22. 1830. 



X 2 



